The Spirit open up their season tonight against the Kitchener Rangers, with a 7:30 p.m. start. But before then, let's take a look at where writers from around the league are picking the Spirit to finish this year:

We'll start with the best: The Record's (Kitchener) Jeff Hicks picks Saginaw to finish second in the league, behind the Rangers. He cites the addition of goalie Mavric Parks (a former Ranger) as a key reason why, as well as Brandon Saad being added to the team.

And now to the worst: Victor Fernandes at the Erie Times-News has the Spirit taking a step back this year, and finishing seventh in the regular season before a first-round exit. And although it's not online (without paid access), word from Spirit folks is that The Hockey News has the team rated in the bottom three of the league.

Ryan Pyette of the London Free Press sums up the Spirit's season in a sentence: "This is the year the Spirit contend, right? Ahh, we'll have to wait to see." Not much in the way of a prediction: he says top six is "possible"